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Each child creating their own experiment

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Each child creating their own experiment

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We began our year with a unit on Simple Machines. Our goal is to introduce the basic concepts, give them lots of hands-on exploration of the principles, and encourage them to look for simple machines in their world.
Big Idea about Simple Machines
A simple machine is a machine with few moving parts, or no moving parts.

The big idea behind simple machines is they make it easier to do work. (They may reduce the amount of work it takes, or they may change the direction of the force you apply - which can make it feel easier to do the work.) But the more inspiring way to describe this to a young child is to say something like "do you wish you could lift heavy things like mommy/daddy does? Simple machines can help you do that. Doing things the smart way makes you stronger."

This post includes resources that are helpful for a full unit on Simple Machines. To see lesson plans for activities and circle time demonstrations / books for each individual machine, click here: , , , , ,
What is force? What is work?
In scientific terms, work is using a force to move an object. If you use force and nothing moves (like if you pushed on a brick wall), that's not work. Pushing, pulling, and lifting are all "work."

Note: although we didn't do it in our class, it could be a good idea to first introduce the idea of "force" and how to measure how much work it takes to do something. Some books about force I would recommend are Forces Make Things Move , And Everyone Shouted, "Pull!" , and Move It!: Motion, Forces and You . (Note: Amazon says Forces Make Things Move is for ages 4 - 8, but I think there are far too many words for us to use it in a groups circle in a classroom setting with this age group.) Here are some additional ideas for how to teach about force, from Mrs. Myers , Teach Junkie and iijuan12 .
Books about Simple Machines
There are LOTS of books on simple machines, so many that I have a separate post all about Simple Machine Books. Check it out for details on them all.

I get all my class books from the library, so I get lots. If I had to buy on a limited budget, my top choices for my class of 3 - 6 year olds would be: How Do You Lift a Lion? by Wells, Move It! Work It! by Salas, the Simple Machines to the Rescue series by Schuh (note: this is the series with titles including the word "vs." such as Raising a Bag of Toys: Pulley vs. Inclined Plane , NOT the series by Dahl with titles like "Levers to the Rescue" - that series is fine, but I'm not a big fan) and maybe the How Toys Work series by Smith.

For 6 - 9 year olds, I'd opt for Simple Machines series by Armentrout or Simple Machines by Tieck. Again, check out the other post for all the details.
Songs about Simple Machines
In our class, we're using Simple Machines by David Newman: find the song and lyrics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1Fhs8pXGxM .

Other options are:

Move It Work It from Capstone kids (see companion book above) which is to the tune of Kookaburra. Find the song .

the Simple Machines song from Hubpages unit on simple machines. It's done to the tune of Yankee Doodle. Find it .

Videos about Simple Machines
Note: some parents prefer not to expose their kids to screen time - if that's you, then skip the recommendations on videos and apps. There's nothing your child can learn from them that they can't learn from books, discussions, and hands-on experiences.

I like videos that can display simple machines in action, and describe the concepts while you're viewing an example. There are several good ones on individual machines - just search YouTube. Here are my favorite overviews.

Bill Nye the Science Guy - Simple Machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMxxG1newtE Best for ages 5 - 10, although my guy has liked Bill since he was 3. About 20 minutes long.

Sid the Science Kid. They did a fabulous series on simple machines. Sid is aimed at preschoolers and is set at a preschool, so very appealing and easy to understand for a 3 - 6 year old. There's The Broken Wheel (Wheels & Axles); My Slide (Inclined Plane), Sid's Amazing Invention (Lever), the Tree House (Pulleys) and Climb, Ignatz (summary of the series.) They're available streaming on Netflix, or can be rented on (they're listed under season 2 of Sid.) Each episode is 23 minutes, although some of that is filler (theme songs, etc.) that we tend to skip past.

Physical Science for Children: All About Simple Machines. 20 minute overview.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS77oMc7l2Q

This is a nice 3-minute summary for adults about the concept, but it goes by too fast for young kids: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM2bJxSjL6k

There's a couple of online computer games you could play with your child that teach about simple machines.

"Twitch" is a fun online game, but you'd need to play with them and narrate their way through it to help them understand it better.

is also a fun online game. Best used as a review, after your child has learned all about Simple Machines.

There is an app called Simple Machines on ITunes, but I have not played it.

I like the app "Pettson's Inventions", available on Android, Kindle, and ITunes. The same folks also do Inventioneers, which is free and a little easier to play. In both, you assemble Rube Goldberg type devices to do simple tasks - you drop an apple on the character's head, he turns on his blower, which turns a fan, which moves a gear, which knocks the basketball off the platform onto the seesaw and into the basket. You usually don't get the answer right on the first try - you set up part of the process, press play to test it, adjust it, test it again, set up the next part of the process, test that, adjust it, and so on. Talk it all through with your child. Tell them what you're trying and why. Ask them why something didn't work and what you can do differently. It's definitely a learning process which requires lots of tinkering.. A 6 or 7 year old might be able to play it alone if you play the first few levels with them to give them the basic concept. With a 4 or 5 year old you'd need to play it all the way through with them once, then they could probably do it on their own.

Note: All the activities described in my posts are from Family Inventor's Lab, a parent-child cooperative class in Bellevue, WA. We are a play-based, STEM focused class for preschool through early elementary (kids age 3 - 7). We do a wide variety of fun, hands-on activities to learn about Science, Tools, Engineering, Nature, and Art. We also sing songs and read stories. Most of our activities are cheap, easy, and use everyday materials that most families would have in their homes (or their recycle bins!), so that our activities are appropriate for classroom teachers, parents who homeschool, or after school programs.

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We began our year with a unit on Simple Machines. Our goal is to introduce the basic concepts, give them lots of hands-on exploration of the principles, and encourage them to look for simple machines in their world. Big Idea about Simple Machines A simple machine is a machine with few moving parts, or no...

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If you are learning about simple machines for kids and looking for some fun,hands-on STEM activities for kids, you are going to love these simple machine projects. With over 30 creative simple machine activities, we will show you how to make a simple machine as you learn about the 6 simple machines: inclined planes, wheel & axel, wedges, levers, pulley, and screws. We have simple machines project ideas for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

Simple machines for kids

Are your elementary age students learning about simle machines for kids? If so the best way to learn is to do; try making some simple machine projects to see how helpful simple machines are in action! Using these simple machines projects you can learn about simple machines like inclined planes, wheel & axel, wedges, levers, pulley, and screws with these fun science experiments for kids. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler - you will love that these simple machines experients are created making simple machines with household items! So keep scrolling, pick a DIY simple machines to try, and get working on simple machines at home with your preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students!

Simple Machine Projects

Ready to make a simple machine project? We have so many fun simple machines projects ideas using simple items from around your house or classroom.

Archimedes Screw Exploration from High Hill Education is a simple project using a plastic bottle that showcases how this invention made hundreds of years ago was able to move material.

Kids will get a kick out of moving toys from downstairs to upstairs using this Banister Pulley from Hands on As We Grow

Kids are sure to be impressed by this working elevator model that explores pulleys from How to Adult

Let your kids imaginations run wild as they make their own Button Wheel & Axel Cars from Almost Unschoolers

This Corn Pulley from Play at Home Mom LLC is just what your preschooler needs in their sandbox to make simple machines come alive

Pulley Experiment for Kids from 123 Homeschool 4 Me uses common household items like cans to make a fun-to-try simple machine

No time to make your own simple machine, no worries! Do what Exploring Forces & Motion from A Day in First Grade did

Simple machines and art collide in this fun Inclined Planes Art from Strong Start

Explore the usefulness of Inclined Planes in this "Egg"speriment from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Simple machines at home

Kids will have fun designing and testing out their simple machines activities they create:

Making Simple Machines with Household Items

These simple machine experiments are truly the best for exploring and learning while having FUN and creating something amazing!

This DIY Muscle Machine from KiwiCo is a fascinating project using pulleys.

I Spy Simple Machines from 123 Homeschool 4 Me is a free printable that not only teaches about simple machines, but gives instructions for a fun simple machines scavenger hunt too!

Bubble Machine Blower Machine from Teach Beside Me - this is such a fun idea kids will get excited about that explores the wheel simple machine

Lego Zipline from Little Bins for Little Hands is such a cool project to explore pulleys with kids

This easy to make pulley and lever board from Inspiration Labratories is the perfect introductory project to do indoors with kids of all ages!

Levers have never been more fun than when you create one out of recycled materials like The OT Toolbox

DIY Craft Stick Catapult is a fun-to-try activity learning about levers from Coffee Cups and Crayons

Make science come alive for kids with this Straw Roller coaster from Frugal Fun 4 Boys that explores inclined planes with kids!

Dive into history with this Ancient Civilization Irrigation Model that explores several simple machines from Teach Student Savvy

Simple machines projects

With over 30 creative, fun, and unique ideas for teaching simple machines for kids you are bound to find the perfect project for your target audience. These are fun activiteis for kids in social isolation as you can make simple machines around the house .Your hardest choice is which one of these science projects to try first!

Looking for more fun, creative ways you can begin your free homeschool? We have over 1,000,000 pages of FREE Printable Worksheets including resources for: pre k worksheets, kindergarten worksheets, 1st grade worksheets, 2nd grade worksheets, 3rd grade worksheets, 4th grade worksheets, 5th grade worksheets, 6th grade worksheets, and more. Plus see our history lessons for kids, hands-on countries for kids, printable math games, language arts worksheets, sight word worksheets, free alphabet printables, and cvc word activities for kids of all ages!

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables - www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

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Lots of EPIC Simple Machine Projects for students to make using things around the house! Learn about simple machines for kids!

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If you are learning about simple machines for kids and looking for some fun,hands-on STEM activities for kids, you are going to love these simple machine projects. With over 30 creative simple machine activities, we will show you how to make a simple machine as you learn about the 6 simple machines: inclined planes, wheel & axel, wedges, levers, pulley, and screws. We have simple machines project ideas for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

Simple machines for kids

Are your elementary age students learning about simle machines for kids? If so the best way to learn is to do; try making some simple machine projects to see how helpful simple machines are in action! Using these simple machines projects you can learn about simple machines like inclined planes, wheel & axel, wedges, levers, pulley, and screws with these fun science experiments for kids. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler - you will love that these simple machines experients are created making simple machines with household items! So keep scrolling, pick a DIY simple machines to try, and get working on simple machines at home with your preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students!

Simple Machine Projects

Ready to make a simple machine project? We have so many fun simple machines projects ideas using simple items from around your house or classroom.

Archimedes Screw Exploration from High Hill Education is a simple project using a plastic bottle that showcases how this invention made hundreds of years ago was able to move material.

Kids will get a kick out of moving toys from downstairs to upstairs using this Banister Pulley from Hands on As We Grow

Kids are sure to be impressed by this working elevator model that explores pulleys from How to Adult

Let your kids imaginations run wild as they make their own Button Wheel & Axel Cars from Almost Unschoolers

This Corn Pulley from Play at Home Mom LLC is just what your preschooler needs in their sandbox to make simple machines come alive

Pulley Experiment for Kids from 123 Homeschool 4 Me uses common household items like cans to make a fun-to-try simple machine

No time to make your own simple machine, no worries! Do what Exploring Forces & Motion from A Day in First Grade did

Simple machines and art collide in this fun Inclined Planes Art from Strong Start

Explore the usefulness of Inclined Planes in this "Egg"speriment from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Simple machines at home

Kids will have fun designing and testing out their simple machines activities they create:

Making Simple Machines with Household Items

These simple machine experiments are truly the best for exploring and learning while having FUN and creating something amazing!

This DIY Muscle Machine from KiwiCo is a fascinating project using pulleys.

I Spy Simple Machines from 123 Homeschool 4 Me is a free printable that not only teaches about simple machines, but gives instructions for a fun simple machines scavenger hunt too!

Bubble Machine Blower Machine from Teach Beside Me - this is such a fun idea kids will get excited about that explores the wheel simple machine

Lego Zipline from Little Bins for Little Hands is such a cool project to explore pulleys with kids

This easy to make pulley and lever board from Inspiration Labratories is the perfect introductory project to do indoors with kids of all ages!

Levers have never been more fun than when you create one out of recycled materials like The OT Toolbox

DIY Craft Stick Catapult is a fun-to-try activity learning about levers from Coffee Cups and Crayons

Make science come alive for kids with this Straw Roller coaster from Frugal Fun 4 Boys that explores inclined planes with kids!

Dive into history with this Ancient Civilization Irrigation Model that explores several simple machines from Teach Student Savvy

Simple machines projects

With over 30 creative, fun, and unique ideas for teaching simple machines for kids you are bound to find the perfect project for your target audience. These are fun activiteis for kids in social isolation as you can make simple machines around the house .Your hardest choice is which one of these science projects to try first!

Looking for more fun, creative ways you can begin your free homeschool? We have over 1,000,000 pages of FREE Printable Worksheets including resources for: pre k worksheets, kindergarten worksheets, 1st grade worksheets, 2nd grade worksheets, 3rd grade worksheets, 4th grade worksheets, 5th grade worksheets, 6th grade worksheets, and more. Plus see our history lessons for kids, hands-on countries for kids, printable math games, language arts worksheets, sight word worksheets, free alphabet printables, and cvc word activities for kids of all ages!

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables - www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

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Lots of EPIC Simple Machine Projects for students to make using things around the house! Learn about simple machines for kids!

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Make learning all about Simple Machines (pulleys, wedges, screws, levers, inclined planes, wheels and axles) fun and hands on in your classroom! Use a small table or a small bookshelf to create an engaging science center full of hands on materials for students to explore and investigate using the included printables, vocabulary cards, book, anchor charts, and discovery pages (science journal pages)! Included is a read aloud book for circle time, anchor charts, and a suggested book list. There is even a half page note you can send home to families, so they can continue the learning at home and strengthen the home school connection.

Bundle and SAVE! Get this product along with ALL of my other little learner science units in the Little Learners Science BUNDLE!

What's included:

Labels for Organization

Teacher Instruction Strategies

Simple Machines Vocabulary Cards

Simple Machine One Page Posters (pulleys, wedges, screws, levers, inclined planes, wheels and axles)

Simple Machines Sort with student recording page

Wheels & Axles Build It Challenge! with student recording page

Pulley Build It Challenge! with student recording page

Catapult Lever Challenge! with student recording page

Is it a Screw or a Wedge? Challenge with student recording page

Inclined Plane Challenge with student recording page

All About Simple Machines! Read Aloud Book

Simple Machines Science Journal Pages (three options) and Covers

Simple Machines Discovery Pages (three options)

Simple Machines Home School Connection Note Home

Check out MORE science units!
► Being a Scientist

► All About My 5 Senses

► All About Apples

► All About Leaves and Trees

► All About Pumpkins

► All About Plants

► All About Butterflies

► All About Insects

► All About My Pet Fish

► All About My Body & Teeth

► All About Rocks

► All About Shells

► All About Trash and Recycling

► All About Space, Sun, & Moon

► All About Ice & Snow

► All About Weather

► All About Colors & Color Mixing

► All About Building

► All About Magnets

► All About Ramps

► All About Force & Motion (a study of balls)
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Pocket of Preschool™️. By purchasing and/or downloading this electronic file, you agree to the following terms. For personal use/single classroom use only. No part of this document may be distributed, posted on the internet, placed on a school server or shared drive, copied, edited, or resold. ALL contents of this document are under copyright protection including all content, text, fonts, and graphics, Thank you for respecting my hard word as well as the hard work of the artists whose work helped create this product.

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All About Simple Machines - Science for Little Learners

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Make learning all about Simple Machines (pulleys, wedges, screws, levers, inclined planes, wheels and axles) fun and hands on in your classroom! Use a small table or a small bookshelf to create an engaging science center full of hands on materials for students to explore and investigate using the in...

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peg doll kit (With images) | Simple machines, Simple machines unit, Force and motion

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Mar 25, 2012 - Have just finished creating a peg doll kit - one with movable limbs. I intend to list this in my Etsy shop soon. I've 'posed' the pieces next to what it started out as. It's designed to be fixed together using string (or wool etc.) and painted or dressed according to personal taste. Would love to know what folk think a…

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Simple Machines and Drip Painting! - Resurrection Lutheran Church

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The Little Lambs have been busy learning about simple machines. They loved testing out the lever launchers and inclined planes! For our final Artist Study, we learned about Jackson Pollock and his unique painting style. We were inspired to drip, flick, and pour to make a variety of special paintings.

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Loose Parts Shoe Box with Simple Machines

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Loose Parts Shoe Box with Simple Machines

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My 5th grade art classes have been working on a simple machine project for a few weeks now. The assignment is to use at least 4 simple machines (a pulley, lever, fulcrum, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and axle, and/or screw) to propel or roll a marble. There are 5 groups of 4 working together. The group that sends the marble the furthest wins. I've been largely staying out of their creative process. I told them they had to make a plan first, then follow the plan as closely as possible. If they wanted to change parts of it they all had to agree. Working as a group is not their strongest quality. There has been a lot of arguing. I'm curious as to how these will turn out. Some of them are looking interesting. Whether they will work or meet all the requirements is another story.

My dilemma is do I help them more or let them figure it out. Some of them are on the wrong track and I've been giving hints as to whether I think something is just not going to work. The thing is one group tested their contraption out and it almost worked. It sent the marble almost straight up but that was a start. Now they are excited and working on some slight changes to send it off at more of an angle. These are just a few pictures I managed to take while dodging flying marbles, lol.

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My 5th grade art classes have been working on a simple machine project for a few weeks now. The assignment is to use at least 4 simple machines (a pulley, lever, fulcrum, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and axle, and/or screw) to propel or roll a marble. There are 5 groups of 4 working together.

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Are you looking for an engaging project that will provide lots of discussion, movement, creativity and problem-solving with your artists BUT not take for-eh-ver to do? Well, I have a project for you!!

My grade 8 art students began trimester 2 with an exciting art and engineering challenge! I began the activity with a discussion of the most basic art element--the mark. Students discussed and decided upon definitions for " mark" and " machine" and were then challenged to either work individually or in teams to create mark-making machines. Their constraints? The machine needed to use K'Nex building tools (I had a HUGE bucket of them), an art supply from the classroom (paint, markers, pencils, etc.) and use a simple machine ( lever, pulley, wheel and axle, wedge, inclined plane or screw).

Students had two class periods to create, test and revise their machines. The process was messy and exciting and really got everyone moving, talking, sharing and working together. A great discussion about " what is art?" ensued as well as a larger discussion of " why?"--as in, "Why are we doing an engineering project in art class?" Students were able to brainstorm skills that they needed in this fun engineering challenge that they would be using this trimester in art class (and throughout their educational career): creativity, resourcefulness, grit, perseverance, working with others, problem solving and more.

By the end of day two, students were required to pass in their machine, an example of the "marks" their machines made (some of the pieces were quite beautiful!) and the video they created of their machine in action (they used iPads to take their videos). I had a hunch that this project would make a great display in our school's lobby so I wanted to make are I had the students give me the "fodder" I would need to showcase these machines!

I was able to create a QR Code for the videos of each of the machines and put them on the finished display, so visitors can scan the QR codes and see the machines in action. Here are a few of the videos for you to see:

This project was a fun way to start of the trimester! ENJOY!!

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Are you looking for an engaging project that will provide lots of discussion, movement, creativity and problem-solving with your artists BUT not take for-eh-ver to do? Well, I have a project for you!! My grade 8 art students began trimester 2 with an exciting art and engineering challenge!

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Simple Machines Types & Functions  Kindergarten,Preschoolers,Kids

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Kids photographs of different simple machines

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Kids photographs of different simple machines

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Roller Skates Visitor to show what wheels can do with friction

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Roller Skates Visitor to show what wheels can do with friction

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77 Best SIMPLE MACHINES activities images | Simple machines, Simple machines activities, Fun science

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Mar 18, 2018 - Resources, strategies and ideas for teaching elementary students a unit on simple machines. Use these activities with Kindergarten to Grade 3 students. See more ideas about Simple machines, Simple machines activities, Fun science.

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Nuts About Counting (With images) | Fine motor activities, Preschool math games, Teaching shapes

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Jan 9, 2019 - Boost early counting skills—with nuts and bolts kids can’t wait to get their hands on! Children just choose a bolt featuring a numeral from 1 to 10 and twist on the matching number of nuts...building fine motor skills as they learn! Each bolt is designed to hold the exact quantity of nuts—so kids get no-fail counting practice every time. Plus, the molded plastic nuts and bolts feature a quick-release design that makes it a cinch to remove the nuts and start again.

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Simple Machines Themed Worksheets - Cut and Paste Activity
3 Scene Options: Classroom, House, and City backgrounds and Simple Machine Cutouts.
*** Directions: Cut and Paste Pictures to Create Your Simple Machines Themed Scene.

Fine Motor Skills Printable Worksheets
Three Printable Mats: Wheel & Axle, Wedge, and Pulley.
* Print on card-stock and laminate for reuse and durability.

Pre Writing Practice for PreK - Simple Machines I Can Draw Printable Worksheets
*** Directions: Children will trace the dotted lines with crayon, marker, or colored pencil. Then color the pictures.

Simple Machines Themed Label the Picture - 2 Words
Three Printable Options: Wheel, Wedge, Pulley Lever and Screw.
*** Directions: Find the correct word and label picture.

Simple Machines Letter Sort - Cut & Paste PreK Activity
Three Activities to Sort Letter Sounds: I & P, W & L, and WH & SCR
*** Directions: Cut and Paste Letters in the Correct Box.

Beginning Sounds Picture Cards: 12 Letter Sounds Activity Cards
Words Include: Pulley, Screw, Wedge, Wheel, Incline, and Lever.
* Marker Suggestions: Clothes Pins, Buttons, Foam Shapes, or Matching Plastic Letters.

Simple Machines Printable Activity Puzzle for Toddlers to PreK
Three Different Scenes: Pulley , Wedge, and Wheel & Axle.
* Teacher's Tip: Cut number strips before class for children to paste on white number sheet (provided in download).

Pre Writing Practice for PreK - Simple Machines Trace and Color Worksheets
*** Directions: Children will trace the dotted lines with crayon, marker, or colored pencil. Then color the pictures.

What Comes Next Printable Worksheets - Simple Machines Preschool Theme
***Three Cut and Paste Worksheets are Included with this Download.

Picture Word Cards for Prekinders - Simple Machines Themed Printables
Words Include: Pulley, Lever, Wheel & Axle, Wedge, Incline, and Screw.

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Machines Printable Activities Include: Color Sheets, Create a Scene, Fine Motor, I Can Draw, Label the Picture, Letter Sort, Letter Sounds, Scenic Puzzle, Trace & Color, What's Next, and Word Cards. Worksheets correlate with Machines Felt Board Story Set by Playtime Felts.

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This travel Busy Board is sure to entertain your baby anywhere!
Great educational toy for toddler on the go. Use it for long journeys or a simple drive in the car.

▶▶ this Montessori board includes: ◀◀
✔ Door with lock (►you can send me the picture that I'lll print and put behind the door)
✔ Furniture lock with keys
✔ Mirror
✔ Bell
✔ Gate hook
✔ Caster
===========
► On the back side of the fidget board, there is a chalkboard. Child can draw on it with chalk many times - everything is easily erased by wet wipes. It's a very usable tool for travel toy))
Pieces of chalk included.
===========

▶▶ It's SMALL and LIGHT: ◀◀
Dimensions: 10.5" x 8" x 2" (27x20x5 cm)
Weight about 1.2 lb. (about 0.6 kg)

This activity toy is ready to be shipped from Ukraine by registered airmail with tracking numbers. Estimated delivery time 1-3 weeks. Please keep in mind, each board is handcrafted and may little vary from image examples.

●●● SAFETY ●●●
Of course, we understand that the safety is very important and made every effort to make this toy for baby safe. We painted color details with faithful acryl paint that is used for the manufacture of toys. All wooden details are thoroughly sanded and all items are securely attached to the board (metal clamps and non-toxic glue). But, as with any toy, please supervise your child enjoying this toy.

You can CUSTOMIZE this Sensory Board. Custom and personalized orders - it is favorite part of my work.
We do it all the time. I'm happy to answer any questions and suggestions about custom requests.
We made hundreds of custom toys and would love to make ideal busy board for your little one!

▶▶ Find other variation of buckle toy in my shop ◀◀
https://www.etsy.com/listing/703504025

Busy Board is a perfect baby gift, especially for 1st Christmas.

♥ Gift wrapping ♥
Busy Board is packed with love in a pretty box from brown craft carton with gift postcard inside. So it's ready to become a wonderful gift.
If your purchase is intended to be sent as a gift, you can also leave delivery address and desired message, and we will help you to make a pleasant surprise to somebody you love.

Learn more about this item

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Travel busy board Sensory activity wood toy Baby busy board toddler Fine motor board Special needs Board with locks Fidget board Wood Gift

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This travel Busy Board is sure to entertain your baby anywhere! Great educational toy for toddler on the go. Use it for long journeys or a simple drive in the car.

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Construction themed activities and centers inspiration is HERE! Get out your planner and let's plan a ton of fun and engaging construction themed activities your little learners (Preschool, Pre-k, and kindergarten) will LOVE and learn a ton from! If you would like all the construction printables you can find them HERE.

This post contains affiliate links.

Literacy Activities

Hammering golf tees into cardboard is fabulous for developing fine motor and hand-eye coordination, and when you write letters on the cardboard you add a literacy component as well! I always try to add letters to any activity we do together. Your little builders will LOVE hammering letters.

Build letters with ROCKS! I mean two things most kiddos love are rocks and diggers so why not use them for a literacy activity?! I found these small pebbles at the Dollar Tree in the floral section. When students are picking up the small rocks they are exercising fine motor muscles too!

Building names & sight words! Make word work and learning names FUN again by building the word with letter rocks. It is easy to make word work fun and interactive using a construction theme!

Add construction themed writing cards (uppercase for the 3 year olds and lowercase for the Pre-k kiddos), construction writing paper, and STAMPS! Writing is always more fun with stamps ( lowercase stamps or uppercase stamps)!

Tap the number of syllables with a HAMMER then build it with cubes! Using a hammer allows students to move, and students can visually compare how big each word is when they build it with cubes, as well, as work on their counting skills.

Fill your bookshelves with construction books (fiction and non-fiction)! Two of my favorites are Old McDonald had a Woodshop and One Big Building. Check out a detailed construction book list HERE.

Sensory Activities

Fill the sensory table with small rocks then put letter rocks in along with small construction vehicles. You can grab a bag of landscape rocks from a Loews or buy bags of small pebbles from the Dollar Tree to fill the table. Students move, dump, and push the letter rocks around while talking about letters and sounds as they play.

Write letters (or numbers) on smooth rocks (again I found them at the Dollar Tree) with paint markers then brush with Mod Podge.

Use the diggers in the art center and students can make digger track paintings! Mix up some puffy paint using brown liquid watercolor, shaving cream, and glue for the "dirt". Students can drive the diggers around on the paper for a fun sensory experience and science experience by comparing the tracks.
You can find the orange tray HERE and the yellow tray HERE.

You may need to grab another set of diggers so you can make a construction playdoh tray! Buy or make brown playdoh, grab a handful of small pebbles, diggers, and some short popsicle sticks to create a FUN and engaging playdoh tray.

Your kiddos will be using their imagination, problem solve, strengthen their fine motor muscles and use STEM skills as they play!

Math Activities

FREEBIE alert! Construction workers are always measuring so why not have kiddos measure with TAPE?! I put the short piece of tape at the top then students cut pieces of tape and sort them by length.

If you want to make the activity harder, have students measure each piece of tape with counting cubes and then write down the length.

Make 10 with nuts and bolts! Making 10 helps kiddos develop informal addition and subtraction skills. Students count out the nuts and bolts to make ten, and then discuss all the different ways to make ten. Younger students can use this activity as a counting game to develop one to one correspondence.

Grab those craft sticks and build shapes! Identify the shapes and talk about the characteristics of each shape, such as, how many sides and corners/vertices does it have?

STEM & Blocks Center

FREEBIE ALERT! Print THESE construction job photographs and have students pretend to be various construction workers at the dollhouse. Students can install plumbing, electric, bricks, and shingles on the roof. Put out plastic string for wire, straws for plumbing pipes, tape for bricks, and cut up brown cardstock for roof shingles.
Plus it is AMAZING fine motor work too!

Inspire your little Engineers with Construction STEM I Can Build cards (included in the STEM Transportation pack), diggers, measuring tape, rocks, and construction books. Get your kiddos planning, designing, constructing, and building various structures in no time!

blueprint paper for students to draw their structures just like real architects! Add construction hats, construction vests, pretend tools, and empty paint cans (from Loews) so students can dress up like real Engineers and use their imagination as they build!

Art & Fine Motor Activities

Creating a paint sample collage is the perfect way to practice cutting and exploring colors! If your paint samples are 3 inches wide, just cut the strips vertically to an appropriate width for your students.

Make houses and other structures with popsicle sticks and toothpicks. Cut up brown tissue paper for students to use for dirt at the construction site.

Nuts, bolts, & washers! Go to the hardware store and buy some real washers, bolts, and nuts. Place inside buckets for endless hours of fine motor fun. Trust me your kiddos will LOVE manipulating these real tools. This is a great nap time activity too!

Construction and Building Science

Building and constructions is PACKED with tons of science, STEM, and math experiences. Explore various building supplies and materials and building techniques. Notice the parts of a building and how you can create various types of structures. Little learners will LOVE my All About Building science unit which you can grab HERE from my TPT store.

Dramatic Play

Take the construction theme to the dramatic play center by changing it into a Construction Site! Grab my Construction Site Dramatic Play pack for tons of printables to make you site AMAZING or check it out on my website HERE.

Now I'm sure your mind is going crazy with ideas and all these ideas so I'm here to help with all the Construction Math and Literacy Center printables already ready for you. Just print, prep, and play!

LOVE these construction activities? Pin this image!

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Construction Themed Centers & Activities for Little Learners - Pocket of Preschool

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Construction themed activities and centers inspiration is HERE! Get out your planner and let's plan a ton of fun and engaging construction themed activities your little learners (Preschool, Pre-k, and kindergarten) will LOVE and learn a ton from! If you would like all the construction printables you can find them HERE.

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I love to make Fine Motor Skills tools with ordinary things if I can, that's why I love these DIY Fine Motor Tongs made with Chopsticks so much. They are easy to make and fun for kids to use. These can be used for everyday simple fine motor skills activities, but could also be used for Chinese New Year fine motor skills activities! We've used all sorts of small materials with these for transferring tasks, but you could also make some felt sushi and have the kids practice using chopsticks for their next visit to your favorite Asian restaurant!

*Affiliate links are present.*

The inspiration for these DIY fine motor skills tongs made with chopsticks came from our favorite Japanese restaurant. The owner brought our sons some chopsticks for kids made almost exactly like this, and I immediately thought about using these for fine motor skills activities. Before we left the restaurant, I asked for a clean pair of chopsticks to make this tutorial for you!

How to Make DIY Fine Motor Tongs with Chopsticks

Directions:
Cut a strip of paper about 1 inch wide. Starting on the small end, tightly roll the strip of paper. Secure the end with tape.

Place the rolled up paper in between the chopsticks and twist the rubber band around-you'll need to go above and below the paper to secure it. I used trial and error (and some simple machine knowledge from elementary school) to figure out the best placement for the paper. You will need to leave some space at the top and move the paper down toward the middle. Play around with the placement and the thickness of the paper roll.

Once your Chopstick Tongs are working, it's time to start playing! Have your tot transfer pom-poms, cotton balls, etc. to work on their pincer grasp (handwriting muscles).
Need more ideas for Fine Motor Skills Activities?
The Ultimate Guide for Developing Fine Motor Skills
What Are Fine Motor Skills & Why Develop Them?
Fizzy Fine Motor Skills Fun
Favorite Toys for Fine Motor Skills

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DIY Fine Motor Tongs Made With Chopsticks

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I love to make Fine Motor Skills tools with ordinary things if I can, that's why I love these DIY Fine Motor Tongs made with Chopsticks so much. They are easy to make and fun for kids to use.

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Little Learners are captivated by science! In this post, we're talking all about the Little Learner Science Curriculum, and hopefully answer the questions you may have about it. First things first, the curriculum has been designed specifically for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten using the NGSS standards, various state standards as well as ...

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Pretend Elevators with Bottle Cap Pulleys | Bottle cap, Blocks preschool, Kids learning activities

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May 17, 2014 - This activity can be used to address the following Next Generation Science Standards K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and ...

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Build A Hand Crank Winch - Little Bins for Little Hands

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Simple machines are a great way for kids to see how stuff works! Build a hand crank winch is a fun hands on STEM activity that uses recycled materials.

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Sensory Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers (With images) | Toddler activities, Busy toddler, Easy toddler activities

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Nov 6, 2019 - Looking for the best sensory activities? Here's your answer: a list of activities AND how to set up, manage, and not have a crazy mess with sensory bins.

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Pulley, bucket with hole, a few lines and a LOT of popcorn. Via Play at Home Mom. (With images) | Simple machines, Educational activities for kids, Activities for kids

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Jan 24, 2014 - Pulley, bucket with hole, a few lines and a LOT of popcorn. Via Play at Home Mom.

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Wheels and Axles – Simple Machines Activities for Kids

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During our Simple Machines unit, our final unit was on Wheels and Axles. Challenge Project – Build a Toy Car Our challenge projects are designed so that parents and children can build them to…

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What are some science activities I can do with my toddler and/or preschooler?

I am so excited to be starting a fun blog hop with some amazing bloggers. We'll each share a science experiment or activity that can be done with toddlers or preschoolers. Science is often a forgotten subject in preschool because so much emphasis is put on math and reading. Science is so important though, plus it can be one of the most exciting subjects for preschoolers. Little Bear loves science right now so I am way excited to take advantage of that.

The science activity I did with my kids is all about simple machines. The 6 basic simple machines are pulley, lever, inclined plane, wedge, wheel and axle, and screw. For our activity, we focused on the first three: pulley, lever, and inclined plane.

I started by putting a full jug of milk on the ground and I asked Little Bear to lift it up and set it on the top of the stairs leading to our back door. Apparently Little Bear has been secretly working out because he was able to do this without any help. I didn't think he'd be able to lift it that high, but luckily it was very difficult for him so I explained that by using simple machines, it would be much easier to get the milk jug up that high.

Inclined Plane

I started by laying a long board against the stairs and I set the milk jug at the bottom of the board. I told Little Bear to push the milk jug up the board to get the milk to the top of the stairs. He did this and said it was easier to get the milk jug up that high by pushing it up the board than just by lifting it. I wish my board had been a little longer because I think it would have been much easier to push it up, but I just used what we had and it still worked.

Lever

I got the same board and put a football underneath it. I made sure to put the football much closer to one side than the other because I knew that would make it easier to lift the milk jug. The milk jug went on the short side and I asked Little Bear to push down on the long side to lift up the milk jug. Little Bear was really impressed at how easily he could lift the milk jug. This was definitely his favorite simple machine. He kept lifting and lowering the milk jug over and over because it was so easy.

Pulley

I made a simple pulley by tying some thick yarn to the milk jug, then I wrapped it several times through the milk jug handle and over a broomstick that was resting on top of the stairs. I think I wrapped it about four times, but I don't remember for sure. When I was done wrapping, I had Little Bear grab the end of the yarn and pull it to lift up the milk jug. He was able to lift it much easier than the first time. Again, he thought it was so cool that it was so much easier.

After our little outside lesson, we went back inside and talked about the terms inclined plane, lever, and pulley. We talked about how much easier it was to lift the milk jug by using the simple machines. After our lesson, I found these simple machines 3 Part Cards. I'll probably print these off and use them to teach about different types of simple machines and for sorting. This is definitely a lesson Little Bear will be talking about for awhile, so it will be nice to have these cards for a follow up lesson. ;)

Now, be sure to check out the other amazing science lessons from the other Science Saturday Blog Hop co-hosts:

Rules for the Blog Hop:

Comment on or share (pin, tweet, share on facebook, etc.) at least 3 posts

Follow each of the hosts in some way (rss feed, pinterest, twitter, facebook, etc.)

Family friendly science activities or theme related activities only

Have fun!

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I am so excited to be starting a fun blog hop with some amazing bloggers. We'll each share a science experiment or activity that can be done with toddlers or preschoolers. Science is often a forgotten subject in preschool because so much emphasis is put on math and reading.

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Here are over 20 science projects for kids using cardboard tubes! In this collection of STEM and STEAM activities for kids, you'll find all kinds of creative ways to encourage scientific exploration using empty toilet paper rolls, empty paper towel rolls and other cardboard tubes.
This post contains affiliate links.
We often use cardboard tubes for crafts (like with these adorable hanging bats) or for creative play (like in our car-themed sensory bin), but they can also be used to encourage children to explore the world around them. So grab some toilet paper tubes, paper towel tubes, or wrapping paper roll tubes and get busy creating all kinds of fun and engaging science activities!
Don't want to repurpose old cardboard tubes? You can also buy recycled craft rolls in sets. Homemade Spectroscope Exploring Sound with Homemade Rainsticks DIY Kaleidoscope Homemade Kazoo Craft Cloud Watching Binocular Craft Hexbug Mazes and Tracks Egg Drop Challenge
Cardboard Tube Marble Run STEM Activity from Little Bins for Little Hands

Upcycled Catapult from Go Science Girls

STEM Challenge: Build a Bridge from Inspiration Laboratories

Owl Eyesight STEM Exploration from JDaniel4'sMom

Homemade Bubble Blower from Happy Hooligans

Building Challenge: Design Play Structures for Toys from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

Pulley Engineering STEAM Activity from Left Brain Craft Brain

Paper Plate Marble Track from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

DIY Recycled Suspension Bridge from Left Brain Craft Brain

Hand Crank Winch Simple Machine Activity from Little Bins for Little Hands

Gardening with Kids: Seed Starting from Rainy Day Mum

Balloon Rocket from Mum in the Madhouse

DIY Constellation Viewer from School Time Snippets

Moon Phase Viewer from What Do We Do All Day?

Be sure to check out STEAM Kids book and ebook for even more creative STEM and STEAM ideas!

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Science Projects with Cardboard Tubes - Buggy and Buddy

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Here are over 20 science projects for kids using cardboard tubes! In this collection of STEM and STEAM activities for kids, you'll find all kinds of creative ways to encourage scientific exploration using empty toilet paper rolls, empty paper towel rolls and other cardboard tubes. Follow our Science for Kids Pinterest board!

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Simple machines worksheet | Simple machines, Simple machine projects, Simple machines activities

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Feb 12, 2018 - Everyday materials and their properties worksheet

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Want an engineering project for your kids that rocks?! This bubble blower machine was a seriously fun project to make with my kids!! We all had a lot of fun figuring out what worked and didn't as well as playing with it at the end!

Want to make a bubble blower machine for yourself? Follow along to learn how we did it.

How to Make a Bubble Blower Machine

Supples Needed:

2 Styrofoam Blocks (12 inches long)
1 Round Styrofoam Piece (8 inch diameter)
1 Wooden Dowel
Pipe Cleaners or Wire
1 Large Pan
Bubble Solution (You can make your own, or buy the big bottles at the store)

There was a lot of trial and error with this bubble blower machine project, but we finally found a working solution! That's the fun with engineering projects. Sometimes they even end up not working, but we still learn from it, right?!

Begin with making a hole through the center of the round styrofoam piece. I did it using the dowel so it is just the right size. A pencil or something pointy may help to start the hole.

Then on the long blocks, make similar holes at about 5 and a half inches.

Use the wire or pipe cleaners to make the bubble blowing rings. We started with the regular wire, but ended up switching to pipe cleaner and it seemed to work better.

Cut pieces of pipe cleaners (or wire) about 8-10 inches long. Then twist them into loops with a step to push them into the edge of the round styrofoam piece.

We made 6 loops and evenly spaced them around the ring. (You may want to put these on before

Put the dowel through all three styrofoam pieces with the round piece in the center. The spacing will depend on the width of the pan you are using.

Fill your pan with bubble solution. You will want it filled all the way to the very top so the bubble wands get fully immersed into it. You will have a little bit of trial and error here, too. You need a pan long enough to not be bumped on the edges as the bubble blowers are turned. You also want the wants pushed in enough that they do not get stuck on the bottom of the ban as they are turned. This took a little bit of figuring out, but it will work!

We also switched from wire to pipe cleaners part way through the project because the bubbles were not blowing out very well. Once we made this switch, they came out really well!

Once you have your bubble blower machine all assembled, it is time to PLAY! You just turn the dowel to spin the machine make sure there is solution in the bubble wand and blow through it. You can also discuss Simple Machines with this project! We have a wheel and a gear.

See More Engineering Activities:
Paper Bridge: Easy Engineering Experiment! Engineering: Make Paper Hold Up Books! Three Little Pigs STEM Project for Kids Homemade Pantograph Drawing Machine
This is part of the 28 Days of STEAM series hosted by Left Brain Craft Brain. Stop over there for more Engineering projects this week!

Find more STEAM projects in out STEAM Kids Book!

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STEM Engineering for Kids: Make a Bubble Blower Machine

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Try a fun STEM Engineering project. Build a bubble blower machine with your kids! They will love building it and playing with it!

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You could also take pictures of the children's work and place a book in that center of their creations.

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FREE Simple Machines Mini-book | Simple machines, Science for kids, Science lessons

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Mar 19, 2015 - FREE Simple Machines Mini-book

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If you are learning about simple machines for kids and looking for some fun,hands-on STEM activities for kids, you are going to love these simple machine projects. With over 30 creative simple machine activities, we will show you how to make a simple machine as you learn about the 6 simple machines: inclined planes, wheel & axel, wedges, levers, pulley, and screws. We have simple machines project ideas for kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students.

Simple machines for kids

Are your elementary age students learning about simle machines for kids? If so the best way to learn is to do; try making some simple machine projects to see how helpful simple machines are in action! Using these simple machines projects you can learn about simple machines like inclined planes, wheel & axel, wedges, levers, pulley, and screws with these fun science experiments for kids. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler - you will love that these simple machines experients are created making simple machines with household items! So keep scrolling, pick a DIY simple machines to try, and get working on simple machines at home with your preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students!

Simple Machine Projects

Ready to make a simple machine project? We have so many fun simple machines projects ideas using simple items from around your house or classroom.

Archimedes Screw Exploration from High Hill Education is a simple project using a plastic bottle that showcases how this invention made hundreds of years ago was able to move material.

Kids will get a kick out of moving toys from downstairs to upstairs using this Banister Pulley from Hands on As We Grow

Kids are sure to be impressed by this working elevator model that explores pulleys from How to Adult

Let your kids imaginations run wild as they make their own Button Wheel & Axel Cars from Almost Unschoolers

This Corn Pulley from Play at Home Mom LLC is just what your preschooler needs in their sandbox to make simple machines come alive

Pulley Experiment for Kids from 123 Homeschool 4 Me uses common household items like cans to make a fun-to-try simple machine

No time to make your own simple machine, no worries! Do what Exploring Forces & Motion from A Day in First Grade did

Simple machines and art collide in this fun Inclined Planes Art from Strong Start

Explore the usefulness of Inclined Planes in this "Egg"speriment from 123 Homeschool 4 Me

Simple machines at home

Kids will have fun designing and testing out their simple machines activities they create:

Making Simple Machines with Household Items

These simple machine experiments are truly the best for exploring and learning while having FUN and creating something amazing!

This DIY Muscle Machine from KiwiCo is a fascinating project using pulleys.

I Spy Simple Machines from 123 Homeschool 4 Me is a free printable that not only teaches about simple machines, but gives instructions for a fun simple machines scavenger hunt too!

Bubble Machine Blower Machine from Teach Beside Me - this is such a fun idea kids will get excited about that explores the wheel simple machine

Lego Zipline from Little Bins for Little Hands is such a cool project to explore pulleys with kids

This easy to make pulley and lever board from Inspiration Labratories is the perfect introductory project to do indoors with kids of all ages!

Levers have never been more fun than when you create one out of recycled materials like The OT Toolbox

DIY Craft Stick Catapult is a fun-to-try activity learning about levers from Coffee Cups and Crayons

Make science come alive for kids with this Straw Roller coaster from Frugal Fun 4 Boys that explores inclined planes with kids!

Dive into history with this Ancient Civilization Irrigation Model that explores several simple machines from Teach Student Savvy

Simple machines projects

With over 30 creative, fun, and unique ideas for teaching simple machines for kids you are bound to find the perfect project for your target audience. These are fun activiteis for kids in social isolation as you can make simple machines around the house .Your hardest choice is which one of these science projects to try first!

Looking for more fun, creative ways you can begin your free homeschool? We have over 1,000,000 pages of FREE Printable Worksheets including resources for: pre k worksheets, kindergarten worksheets, 1st grade worksheets, 2nd grade worksheets, 3rd grade worksheets, 4th grade worksheets, 5th grade worksheets, 6th grade worksheets, and more. Plus see our history lessons for kids, hands-on countries for kids, printable math games, language arts worksheets, sight word worksheets, free alphabet printables, and cvc word activities for kids of all ages!

Beth Gorden

Beth Gorden is the creative multi-tasking creator of 123 Homeschool 4 Me. As a busy homeschooling mother of six, she strives to create hands-on learning activities and worksheets that kids will love to make learning FUN! She has created over 1 million pages of printables to help teach kids ABCs, science, English grammar, history, math, and so much more! Beth is also the creator of 2 additional sites with even more educational activities and FREE printables - www.kindergartenworksheetsandgames.com and www.preschoolplayandlearn.com

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Lots of EPIC Simple Machine Projects for students to make using things around the house! Learn about simple machines for kids!

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16 Preschool Simple Machines Work Trays! | Simple machines, Creative curriculum, Preschool

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May 19, 2016 - See preschool ideas for learning about wheels and axles, pulleys, inclined planes, screws, levers and wedges with our set of 16 Simple Machines Work Trays!

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Good morning, friends! We have been having so much fun this past week exploring simple machines as our STEM focus. Throughout the week we completed many investigations during exploration centers. My students loved these activities so I wanted to share with you what we did!

All of these lessons, activities, and videos can be found in my Simple Machines STEM packet available on Teachers Pay Teachers. ( link here)

To begin our unit, we focused on levers. My students had been investigation levers for a while in our building center so the specific teaching point for us was on how and why a fulcrum works. We investigated this skill in BIG ways out on our playground during recess.

It was really fun to see my students help each other out and use teamwork to get the lever to work.

(If you are wondering why we used plastic measuring cups, it was because that is what was in our recess bag at the time. Sometimes you have to make do with what you have on hand! Monday I am packing our bag with bean bags so that we can investigate more and not have to watch our heads so carefully! {Although yelling, "look out" and "bombs away!!" was super fun, too!})

To enhance our learning about levers, we watched these videos:

Next, we began exploring pulleys. We read a few books on pulleys and then began exploring them inside our classroom.

To do this, I brought in a few pulleys that I purchased at Home Depot, some rope, and a few carabiners. I wanted my students to investigate how pulleys work so I let them explore with them for a few days before we watched a video on them. Our preschool friends were also exploring pulleys and they asked us to help them understand how to use more than one pulley together. Their question ignited a passion about pulleys in my class and they worked so hard to figure out a way to teach the preschoolers how the pulleys worked. One of my kinders exclaimed, "We can help them because we are in kindergarten and we NEVER give up!"

After they began to get the hang of using pulleys, we went outside to investigate some more! My students set up a pretty intricate pulley system on the playground!

They filled a bucket up with rocks so that it was a "heavy load" and carefully tied the rope to the bucket. (This was great for practicing fine motor skills!!)

Finally it came time to test out the pulley system!

"IT WORKED! IT WORKED!!"

My students used SUCH teamwork and perseverance to get this to work!

Here are some of the videos we watched to enhance our learning.

We also explored wheels and axles last week. To do this, we made waterwheels out of paper plates, paper cups, and tape. In true STEM form, I did not tell my students how to assemble their waterwheels. We watched a few videos on how waterwheels worked and then my students partnered up and came up with a plan to assemble their wheels.

They worked BEAUTIFULLY with each other! After a few attempts, one group "figured out" how to get it to work and helped the other groups create a successful waterwheel.

Each group created two waterwheels so that every student could bring one home.

Once they thought their waterwheel would work, they tested them in our sensory table.

I was so proud at how hard my students worked at completing their waterwheels and how they encouraged their friends during the build process. When we debriefed, the activity, one student said, "I didn't like it when it didn't work the first time, but it just helped my brain to grow and we figured it out!"

We truly had a blast learning about simple machines and will continue some of our explorations next week with Beyblade science and Rube Goldberg!

If you would like to try these lessons, they are found here!

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Exploring Simple Machines With Kindergarteners

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Good morning, friends! We have been having so much fun this past week exploring simple machines as our STEM focus. Throughout the week we completed many investigations during exploration centers. My students loved these activities so I wanted to share with you what we did!